Pegasus and the Fight for Olympus

by Kate O'Hearn

  www.hodderchildrens.co.uk

  Also by Kate O’Hearn

  PEGASUS AND THE FLAME

  SHADOW OF THE DRAGON

  Part One: Kira

  Part Two: Elspeth

  Other titles published by Hodder Children’s Books:

  THE STONEHEART TRILOGY

  Stoneheart

  Ironhand

  Silvertongue

  Charlie Fletcher

  Ice Angel

  Otto and the Flying Twins

  Otto and the Bird Charmers

  Otto in the Time of the Warrior

  Charlotte Haptie

  Copyright © 2011 Kate O’Hearn

  First published in Great Britain in 2011

  by Hodder Children’s Books

  This ebook edition published in 2011

  The right of Kate O’Hearn to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  All rights reserved. Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form, or by any means with prior permission in writing from the publishers or in the case of reprographic production in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency and may not be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  A Catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

  ISBN 978-1-44-490468-0

  Typeset in AGaramond Book by Avon DataSet Ltd,

  Bidford on Avon, Warwickshire

  Hodder Children's Books

  A Division of Hachette Children's Books

  338 Euston Road

  London NW1 3BH

  An Hachette UK company

  www.hachette.co.uk

  Once again, this book would not exist were it not for the love and support of my amazing family. And in this case as well, great friends who turn up in the books in ways you might never imagine. Agent O and Agent J are two very special young men whom I care deeply for and who also told me to make their characters as bad as possible – now how is that for great friends!

  Of course, I continue to thank my editors, Anne and Naomi, and the divine Ms V – a great agent.

  Finally, I make another plea to you, my special reader, to do all you can for horses everywhere. From the poor suffering carriage horses working in terrible conditions on the streets of many major cities for the sake of ‘tourism’, down to those being ill treated around the world.

  Only you can msake a difference to their lives. They are counting on all of us to help, please, let’s not fail them.

  1

  Olympus was unlike anywhere Emily had ever been before. It was a magical fantasyland filled with people and creatures beyond imagination. A place where rain didn’t fall, but the lush green gardens never wilted. They bloomed constantly, filling the air with their intoxicating fragrances. The air itself seemed alive. It was honey-sweet and warm and enveloped you in a blanket of peace, rich with the sounds of singing birds and filled with insects that never stung. If a bee landed on you, it was only because it wanted to be petted.

  The buildings in Olympus were as beautiful and unique as the land itself. Most were made of smooth white marble with tall intricately carved pillars reaching high into the rich blue sky. There were open theatres where the Muses danced and sang for the entertainment of all.

  Along the wide cobbled streets were statues of the strongest Olympian fighters and heroes. There were no cars or trucks pumping pollution into the air. The Olympians walked or flew wherever they needed to go. Occasionally they would take a chariot drawn by magnificent horses.

  Then there were the libraries. More than Emily could count, containing the texts from the many worlds the Olympians visited and guarded. Some of her favourite books were held in the library at Jupiter’s palace, brought in especially for her.

  Emily could never have imagined a more perfect place.

  But living in Olympus, amongst all its splendour, she was miserable.

  Emily missed her father. She spent every waking moment thinking and worrying about him. He was back in the human world, a prisoner of the Central Research Unit. The CRU were a secret government agency obsessed with capturing aliens and anything out of the ordinary to use as weapons. She had been their prisoner for a short time and knew how single-minded and cruel they were. Now they had her father. What were they doing to him? Were they punishing him because of her escape? Had they killed him? So many fears and unanswered questions tore at her heart – she could never be happy without him.

  Even spending time with Pegasus didn’t ease the pain. Emily was desperate to get back to New York to find her father, but Jupiter wouldn’t let her go. He insisted her place was here among the other Olympians. And with the invading warrior race of Nirads still posing a threat to Olympus, Jupiter couldn’t risk sending any of his fighters to Emily’s world on a rescue mission. No matter how much she pleaded with the leader, he refused to allow her to leave.

  Emily paused as she walked through the back gardens at Jupiter’s palace. She raised her face to the sun and felt its warm rays streaming down on her. Was this the same sun that shone in her world? Was her father allowed to see it? From her own experience as a prisoner in the CRU’s deep underground facility, she doubted it.

  Emily felt even more determined. If Jupiter wouldn’t let her go, she had no choice but to run away and rescue her dad herself. Walking along the stream that coursed through Olympus, she saw a group of beautiful water-nymphs splashing on the shore. They waved and called their strange greeting. Moments later, they slipped beneath the surface and the water calmed as if they’d never been there.

  Lost deep in thought, Emily wasn’t paying attention to where she was walking and tripped over a small rock. She cursed and righted herself. On top of everything else, she was still getting used to the new gold leg brace that Vulcan, the armourer of Olympus, had made for her. He had constructed it using the same gold as Pegasus’s bridle; a very special gold that was lethal to Nirads. With one brief touch they were badly poisoned. Longer contact proved fatal to the ferocious warriors. With this brace Emily could not only defend herself against the invaders, she could walk and run once again.

  But learning to get around with the strange device had taken time and effort. Now she could move almost as well as she had before her leg was permanently damaged by the Nirads in New York.

  Emily walked towards Jupiter’s Maze, a large complicated puzzle built in the middle of the garden consisting of tall green bushes grown in complicated patterns. It took a lot of practice to navigate it. Emily and her friends had also discovered that Jupiter’s Maze was the perfect place to hold private conversations.

  Emily found her way to the confusing puzzle’s centre. There waiting for her beside the centre pedestal was Pegasus. The magnificent winged-stallion always stole her breath away. Standing quietly in the dark of the trees, he was a glowing, brilliant white. His head was high and proud and his coat shiny and well groomed. There wasn’t a feather out of place on his neatly folded wings.

  When Pegasus saw her, he whinnied excitedly and nodded his head.

  Beside him stood her best friend from New York. Joel was tall and strongly built. His dark Roman features, black hair and warm brown eyes, always reminded her of the classic Italian paintings she’d seen in art museums. Joel was no longer the violent, angry boy she first met outside his Brownstone across from th
eir school. Spending time in Olympus had softened his outer shell of rage and hurt from the loss of his family. He had a deeply caring heart and laughed readily. Joel spent his days working with Vulcan in the Olympus armoury. He had even helped design the brace on her leg.

  As she approached, Emily looked around. ‘Where’s Paelen?’

  ‘He’ll be here in a few minutes. He had something to pick up.’ Joel reached for her elbow. ‘Em, you’re absolutely sure you want to do this?’

  ‘What choice have I got?’ Emily answered. ‘Joel, all I think about is saving my dad. There’s nothing else I can do. We wouldn’t have to sneak around like this if Jupiter would help!’ She threw her hands up in frustration. As she brought them down, brilliant flames flashed from her fingertips and hit the edge of her good foot and scorched the ground around it. Emily howled and hopped in pain.

  ‘Emily, calm down!’ Joel warned. ‘You know it gets worse when you’re upset.’

  ‘Nuts!’ she cried. ‘Being the Flame of Olympus is one thing. But constantly setting myself on fire is another!’

  ‘You’ve got to calm down,’ Joel insisted. ‘Remember what Vesta taught you. You can control the flame if you remain calm.’

  ‘That’s easier said than done,’ Emily complained as she sat down and rubbed her singed foot. Her sandal was burned black and smouldered. Ever since she emerged from the Temple of the Flame, she was discovering powers she couldn’t control. Powers that constantly set things alight.

  Joel sat down beside her. ‘We’ll get your dad out of there, I promise. But you can’t help him if you don’t control the flame.’

  ‘Joel’s right.’ Paelen emerged from the trees behind them. In contrast to Joel, he was much smaller and wiry. Paelen was able to get into the tiniest of spaces and had a notorious habit of getting himself into trouble. But with his crooked grin and dark sparkling eyes, he always found a way to make Emily smile. ‘And if I were you, I would lower your voices. Half the maze can hear your conversation.’ He sat down beside Emily and gave her a playful shove. ‘Set yourself on fire again I see.’

  ‘No, I tripped,’ Emily answered, shoving him back.

  Paelen smiled his crooked smile. ‘Of course you did, which is why your sandal is charcoal and smouldering.’

  In the time they’d spent on Olympus, Emily had really grown to like Paelen. Between him and Joel, she couldn’t have asked for better friends. Paelen was also one of the few Olympians who understood what they’d been through as prisoners of the CRU on Governors Island. They had all been tortured for information about Olympus.

  ‘Speaking of sandals,’ Emily changed the subject, ‘you didn’t steal Mercury’s again, did you?’ She had noticed the winged sandals on his feet.

  ‘Me? Of course not,’ Paelen said in mock horror. ‘You know I am no longer a thief. Mercury just gave them to me. He is having another set made for himself.’ Paelen paused and frowned. ‘He said the sandals prefer to stay with me. I do not understand what he means, but I am not going to say no to such a useful gift.’ He petted the sandals’ tiny wings. ‘These flying sandals saved our lives in your world and helped us escape the CRU. There is no telling what else they can do.’ He leaned closer to Emily and eagerly rubbed his hands together. ‘So, tell me. When do we leave for New York?’

  Pegasus stepped forward and started to nicker.

  Paelen nodded and translated for the others. ‘Pegasus heard Jupiter, Mars and Hercules talking. They are going on an expedition to see if they can discover how the Nirads entered Olympus in such large numbers without being seen. Until they know and can secure the route, we are still in danger. Pegasus suggests if we are going to go to New York to rescue your father, we should leave once they’re gone.’

  Emily rose and kissed the stallion on his soft muzzle. ‘Thank you, Pegasus. That’s a great idea.’ She turned to Joel and Paelen. ‘It’s settled then. The moment Jupiter leaves, we’re out of here!’

  Quietly, they discussed their plans as they strolled through the maze. Emily rested her hand on Pegasus’s neck as he walked beside her.

  ‘We’ll need some human clothes,’ Joel mused aloud. ‘We can’t arrive back in New York dressed like this.’

  ‘What is wrong with these?’ Paelen looked down at his tunic. ‘I have always dressed as such.’

  ‘You’re kidding, right?’ Joel smirked. ‘Paelen, we look like rejects from a gladiator movie! Look at me, I’m wearing a dress!’

  ‘It’s a tunic,’ Emily corrected him, ‘and I think it suits you.’ She looked down at her own beautiful tunic made from fine white embroidered silk with an intricate braided gold belt at her waist. The material ended halfway up her thighs and above the golden brace on her damaged left leg, leaving it exposed. Emily had never felt embarrassed to show the deep, angry scars from the Nirad wounds she received in New York while she was on Olympus. The Olympians regarded them as a badge of honour. She had earned them in the service of Olympus and they had taught her to be proud of them. But as she gazed down at her leg now, she realized that the deep scars and leg brace wouldn’t be viewed as positively in her world.

  ‘Joel’s right,’ she agreed. ‘I can’t go back there like this either. We’ve got to hide this valuable gold brace.’

  Pegasus started to neigh and Paelen translated. ‘If anyone should try to steal it from you, Pegasus would defend you, as would Joel and I.’ A playful twinkle returned to his eyes. ‘Of course, should that fail, you could always set yourself on fire again. That would surely scare off any attackers!’

  ‘Thanks, Paelen,’ Emily teased as she shoved him lightly. Then she patted Pegasus on the neck. ‘And thank you, Pegs. But I still think we will need to find other clothing.’

  ‘Other clothing for what?’

  Emily looked up at the owner of the new voice. Despite all the time they’d been in Olympus, she still couldn’t get over the sight of Cupid. Seeing Pegasus’s wings had been strange at the beginning. But somehow they suited him. She couldn’t imagine him without them. But looking at this teenager with colourful, pheasant-like feathered wings on his back was something else.

  Cupid pulled in his wings and landed neatly in the maze before them. ‘So where are you going that you need new clothing?’ he asked.

  ‘None of your business,’ Joel shot. ‘Didn’t your mother ever teach you any manners? It’s not polite to listen in on other people’s conversation.’

  ‘Of course,’ Cupid said. ‘But she also taught me that whenever humans and Olympians mix, there is always trouble. And what do I see before my curious eyes? A human mixing with Olympians.’

  Cupid smiled radiantly at Emily and it set her heart fluttering. She had a terrible crush on him, and he knew it. He was the most beautiful Olympian she had ever met, with his strong, lean figure. He had fine features, light sandy blond hair, and sculpted sapphire blue eyes that sparkled and teased. His skin was like polished marble without any of the blemishes of acne or birthmarks that plague most teenagers. Though Cupid was very old, he looked no more than sixteen or seventeen.

  Emily stole a glance at Joel and saw his temper starting to flare. The way Cupid pronounced the word ‘human’ was always meant as an insult. ‘Get out of here, Cupid,’ Joel warned. ‘This is a private conversation and you are not welcome.’

  ‘Is this true?’ Cupid said slyly to Emily. ‘Do you really wish me to go?’

  The intensity of his stare kept the words from forming on her lips. Everything about him was trouble. Joel had told her some of the myths concerning Cupid. She knew that, like a coward, he had fled the area when the Nirads first attacked and had stayed away until the danger had gone. Yet despite all this, she couldn’t tell him to go.

  Before the moment became awkward, Pegasus stepped forward and snorted loudly.

  ‘Trouble?’ Cupid repeated as he turned and feigned innocence to the stallion. ‘I am not causing trouble. I just wanted to speak with the Flame.’

  ‘Her name is Emily,’ Paelen said defensively. He moved to
stand in front of Emily to block her from Cupid. ‘Do not call her Flame.’

  ‘And I told you to leave,’ Joel added, taking position beside Paelen and crossing his arms over his chest.

  ‘Or what?’ Cupid challenged. ‘What will you do to me, human?’

  Once again Pegasus snorted and pounded the ground with a golden hoof. There was no mistaking the warning. Emily saw fear rise in Cupid’s eyes. Even Paelen took a cautious step back from the stallion.

  ‘There is no need to lose your temper, Pegasus.’ Cupid held up his hands in surrender. ‘I shall go.’

  His wings opened as he prepared to fly. But before turning from Emily, Cupid plucked a colourful feather from under his right wing and placed it in her hair. ‘Something to put under your pillow to remember me by,’ he teased as he jumped into the air and flapped his large wings. ‘See you later, Flame!’

  Pegasus reared on his hind legs, opened his own huge wings and shrieked after him.

  As Cupid escaped he turned and waved back at her, laughing as he went.

  ‘I came this close to hitting him!’ Joel said, balling his hands into fists.

  ‘Me too,’ Paelen agreed.

  Returning back beside her, Pegasus gently nudged Emily and nickered softly.

  ‘You must stay away from Cupid,’ Paelen explained. ‘Pegasus says he is trouble. Even more than … what?’ Paelen turned sharply to the stallion. ‘Me? Pegasus, how can you compare Cupid to me? We are nothing alike. I may have been a thief, but Cupid is a trouble-making coward and I resent being compared to him. And what about you?’ Paelen turned to Emily. He pulled the feather from her hair and tossed it to the ground. ‘You should have told him to go. Cupid would think nothing of handing you over to the Nirads if it meant saving his own skin and feathers. Stay away from him!’

  Emily watched in complete confusion as Paelen stormed off into the maze and disappeared. Paelen had never raised his voice to her before, or shown any traces of anger. ‘What did I do?’